Once Bitten Twice Shy
That day Rekha came back late from her office . Her husband Rajesh had already retired and was waiting for her . Usually all the family members used to enjoy evening tea together. Rajesh and Rekha had a son Satya . Satya, his wife Seema and their daughter Riya all lived in the same house . Rajesh bought a piece of land in Patna during his service and built a 2BHK house on the plot . Even for this small house they had to struggle hard to build it . They were thinking of expanding it but could not. They expected Satya would be able to build further as the family grew . But for the time being they were satisfied with this house.
When Rekha entered the house , Rajesh asked “ What made you late today ? “
“ There was a farewell party for a colleague who retired today . “ replied Rekha
“ By the way, when is your superannuation due ? Rajesh asked further
“ It’s due next July . “
“ It means exactly one year from now . Well after that we would enjoy
evening tea hassle free . “
“ Yes .” said Rekha and went to wash room
By the time she came back , Rajesh, his son and daughter in law all were waiting at the coffee table . Sipping tea Seema said “ My eldest brother Rajan is coming to Patna next week . He is coming with Bhabhi and their two sons .”
Seema hailed from Varanasi and his brother was working there in the Loco factory . She said “ Bhabhi and kids are coming to Patna for the first time. It’s summer holidays and they might stay here for four or five days or maybe a week . “
“ It’s good news for you. You should be happy .” said Rekha
“ Yes , but I am worried about how to accommodate them in our house .”
“ That’s not a problem . It’s summer . Some members can sleep on the terrace . We will put a cooler of table fans there . By the way, night is not that hot these days . “
Satya supported his mom and said “ You leave the rest to us . I will chalk out a detailed program for their pleasant stay and sightseeing . They can see Bodh Gaya , Nalanda , Rajgir and Pawapuri besides local sightseeing places .”
“ What are your nephews doing ? asked Rekha
“ Rajiv the elder one is in second year engineering and the younger Sameer is in eleventh grade. “
“ Very nice . Let all come . We will make them comfortable here .”
Seema’s brothar and family came next week . Both Seema and her Bhabhi took control of the kitchen and made different recipes . First day everyone enjoyed everything at home , no outing . First night Ranjan slept on the terrace with both his sons . All other members were accommodated downstairs . Mattresses were spread on the terrace and also in the drawing room . Rekha and Rajesh were not disturbed , they slept in their bedroom.
Next two days Satya accompanied his brother in law and his family to Bodh Gaya , Rajgir and Nalanda . After coming back Seema, her Bhabhi ( sister in law ) went to sleep on the terrace with all their kids - Riya , Rajiv and Sameer . Rajiv especially insisted Riya to join them to tell stories about their tour . Rajiv also told Riya that he would guide her to prepare for the engineering admission test . All were relaxing on the terrace and chatting with each other .
When thy were about to sleep , Rekha hurriedly came on the terrace and asked her granddaughter Riya to go downstairs to sleep . Riya wanted to enjoy chatting with her cousins .But Rekha whispered in her ears “ Surprise is waiting for you downstairs . “
“ What’s that Dadi ? “
“ It's a surprise , I can’t tell you in advance .” said Dadi . She appeared to be somewhat worried . Seema asked her “ Why do you appear to be worried?”
“ Nothing , just tired . I am unable to sleep . “
At last Riya went downstairs with her Dadi . While going down with her granddaughter Rekha started roaming in her past . She started watching frame by frame pictures of her past when she was hardly 13 years old. It was the silver jubilee ceremony of her parents. Many guests had come and some had to be accommodated on the terrace for sleeping at night. She was almost asleep when she felt some object moving in her pelvic area . She turned to her side and tried to sleep . But within five minutes the same object started crawling close to her undergarment . She realized it was the fingers of her elder cousin Satish. He was the son of her mother’s younger sister . He was doing his graduation . She gave him a jerk and stood up and quietly walked downstairs . She went to her mother and slept with her . She was shaken badly with this happening and was surprised how a cousin could behave like this . If my cousin can molest me then other men can do anything . When her mother asked “ What happened ? You were chatting with your cousins . Why did you come here ?”
“ I slept earlier but woke up due to a horrible dream . “
“ Ok , sleep here . Tomorrow is our function .”
Rekha couldn’t dare to speak a word on the incident she faced on the terrace. But she terribly hated her cousin till date and never talked to him . This incident left a strong effect on her . She was scared at the sight of men and tried to avoid encounters with men . Those days there were no social media or even cell phones.and TV channels.Girls were not franc to discuss such matters . Even after marriage whenever her hubby Rajesh tried to be physical she was scared and used to start crying or screaming . Rajesh took her to a counselor . After two weeks of counseling Rekha understood that all men are not bad and she can trust Rajesh . That day when she came back from the counselor she thanked Rajesh for all the pains he took for her . That night when Rekha came out of the bathroom with only a towel wrapped up to her cleavage , Rajesh said “ Wow , what a beauty ? Now I can be happy and content . Come walk into my arms and I will let you walk in my hearts .”
He embraced her and pulled her to the bed . Rekha didn’t resist at all .”
When Rekha was entering her bedroom , Rajesh asked “ Why did you bring her here? “
Hearing this Rekha came out from her past . Riya said “ Dadi , Where is my surprise ? “
Rajesh got up from bed and said “ I know where is your surprise ? “ He brought three cups of ice cream and shared them among the three .
After sometime when Riya was asleep Rajesh asked “ Why did you bring her here? She could have been happier on the terrace with her cousins .”
Rekha said “ No , I can’t forget the worst and bitter incident I faced under similar situations. Don’t you remember ? “
“ Oh, sorry. Now I understand your move . Anyway you did the right thing at the right moment . Once bitten twice shy . Isn’t it ? ”
“ Yes sure , and now let us sleep .”
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Note - This story is fiction .
